BHOPAL/The Sant Shiromani Ravidas (SSR) Global Skills Park in Bhopal will eventually train 10,000 youths every year to meet the evolving requirements of industry, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday.
Addressing an orientation programme for newly enrolled trainees at the park, Yadav said the institute currently certifies around 2,000 trainees annually, with the number expected to rise to 3,000 in 2026. The government aims to expand the training capacity further in the coming years.
Yadav said skill development was central to the country’s economic progress and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consistently emphasised creating greater opportunities for young people. He urged trainees to focus on acquiring skills that match changing industrial and technological requirements.
“Skill and capability can open the path to self-reliance,” Yadav said, stressing that no work should be considered big or small and that dedication and the will to perform were key to achieving success.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the legacy of Sant Ravidas, saying the saint’s life demonstrated the importance of faith in one’s skills, commitment to work and social responsibility.
The Global Skills Park reported a placement rate of 98.9 per cent. It offers industry-oriented training in areas including automotive technology, robotics, advanced manufacturing, electronics and other emerging technical fields.
During his visit, Yadav interacted with trainees and inspected several advanced laboratories. Trainees briefed him on programmes in engine technology, auto-tronics, CNC and precision engineering and other automotive trades. He also inaugurated a newly constructed multi-purpose sports complex on the campus and planted a sapling.
The Chief Minister also interacted with representatives of leading industries, who said the park was preparing young people in line with actual workplace requirements. Industry representatives said trainees possessed practical and technical skills that enabled them to transition into employment with relatively little additional training.
Representatives of companies including Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, Trident Ltd, SRF Ltd, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Scientech Ltd, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd and Hindalco praised the park’s infrastructure and industry-linked training model.
Trident representative Pooja Luthra stressed the need to increase the number of trained women entering the workforce, while other industry representatives called for expansion of the park’s training capacity.
Yadav said the government was also strengthening skill training at ITIs located near industrial areas, with courses being aligned to the requirements of local industries.
Three MoUs were signed during the programme. Under the agreement with Bajaj Auto Foundation, an industry-based training centre for two- and three-wheeler service technicians will be established at the park. An agreement with Magic Billion (TGM Services Pvt Ltd) will facilitate employment and apprenticeship opportunities for youths from Madhya Pradesh in Germany. A third agreement with TWI India Pvt Ltd will establish a Centre of Excellence for welding and non-destructive testing.
Skill Development and Employment Minister (Independent Charge) Gautam Tetwal said the park had certified 2,000 trainees in 2025 and expected to train around 3,000 in 2026. The government plans to raise annual training capacity to 6,000 initially and ultimately to 10,000 trainees.
Tetwal said the park was working with 10 divisional ITIs under a hub-and-spoke model to extend advanced technical training and expertise to a larger number of young people across the state.
Global Skills Park CEO Aditi Garg said the idea for the institution was conceived in 2015 following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education. Advanced technical training began at the park’s main campus in 2024.
She said the institution recorded about 98 per cent placement last year, while 35 trainees had secured employment in countries including Hungary and Japan over the past two years.
The programme was attended by Minister of State for Backwards Classes Welfare (Independent Charge) Krishna Gaur, senior government officials, industry representatives and trainees. The Chief Minister also felicitated artisans associated with pottery, wood, crystal, marble and metal crafts during the event.